Monthly Archives: November 2016

What’s New This Week?

Around the Mouse: Walt Disney World News, Nov 28, 2016

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

Magic Kingdom Park

New! Elena of Avalor Now Meeting Guests at Fairytale Hall: Elena of Avalor – the first Disney princess inspired by diverse Latin cultures – will begin to greet guests alongside other royal friends at Princess Fairytale Hall. There, guests can choose between a meeting with Elena and Cinderella or a visit with Rapunzel and Tian

New! Tiana’s Riverboat Party Ice Cream Social & Parade Viewing: “Tiana’s Riverboat Party Ice Cream Social & Parade Viewing” will make its debut launch on the Liberty Belle Riverboat at Magic Kingdom Park on November 29. The fun starts at the boat dock, where guests can enjoy hand-dipped ice cream and soft drinks while they visit with Princess Tiana and Naveen. Guests will then board the riverboat to enjoy an incredible birds-eye-view parade viewing for the park’s “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” and a cruise around Tom Sawyer’s Island. Princess Tiana and Naveen will join the group on the Liberty Belle Riverboat after the parade concludes for photos. Tiana’s Riverboat Party Ice Cream Social & Parade Viewing is available for $49 per adult and $29 per child age 9 and under (includes tax). Reservations can be made now by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

New! Kingdom Cabanas Now Available: Situated in an out-of-the-way area of Tomorrowland near Space Mountain, cabanas accommodate up to 8 Guests and will be available for a daily rental price of $649. Amenities include private and shaded seating, cold beverages, snacks and reserved viewing for parades and fireworks. Book by calling (407) WDW-PLAY or visiting Concierge at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Epcot

New! Epcot International Festival of the Arts Coming to Walt Disney World Resort in January 2017: A brand new event is coming to Walt Disney World Resort. The Epcot International Festival of the Arts debuts Jan. 13 – Feb. 20. It combines visual, culinary and performing arts for six colorful weekends. Art from historical and current day Disney artists will be on display as well as live viewings of the creative process in action. Music and Broadway talent will come to the America Gardens Theater stage, and guests will enjoy feasting on artistic culinary creations. The Festival will run Fridays through Mondays each week.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New! PizzeRizzo Now Open: PizzeRizzo is now open in the Muppets Courtyard of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The two-story quick-service eatery serves up personal-sized pizza pies along with other Italian favorites—from meatball subs to tiramisu—all in a comfortable family-style setting. PizzeRizzo is open daily for lunch and dinner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

New! Pandora – The World of Avatar Opening Announced: Pandora – The World of Avatar is set to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in summer 2017. New experiences announced include: Satu’li Canteen, which will be the quick service restaurant in Pandora – The World of Avatar and will feature Na’vi art and cultural items; Windtraders, where travelers can find Na’vi cultural items, toys, science kits and more; and Pongu Pongu, a special drink location with a design that is as eclectic as its Expat owner. The entire Pandora – The World of Avatar land is set to open in 2017, and will transport guests to a visually stunning world complete with floating mountains and bioluminescent plants. Here, guests will be able to experience two excursions that will truly push adventure to the next level. First, the family friendly Na’vi River Journey will send guests down a sacred river hidden within a bioluminescent rainforest. Their journey will end in an unforgettable encounter with a Na’vi Shaman, a figure who has a deep connection to the life force of Pandora. And second, the Avatar Flight of Passage excursion will offer the jawdropping experience of riding on a Banshee over the world of Pandora.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

New! New Amenities Coming Soon to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: Disney Vacation Club accommodations formerly known as The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge have assumed a new name – Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. A sweeping re-imagination of the former Hidden Springs Pool area will help tell the richly layered backstory of Boulder Ridge. Scheduled to open in summer 2017, Boulder Ridge Cove will feature an expanded sun deck and zero-depth-entry pool in what appears to have been an abandoned rock quarry. Other renovations at the resort include a brand-new bar & grill, in addition to a quick-service restaurant.

New! Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Reopened at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort: Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory has reopened after being reimagined, and has added even more flavors inspired by New Orleans to their menu, including jambalaya, po’ boys, gumbo, and more. Home-style favorites such as create-your-own pasta, salads and pizza are still available for lunch and dinner, in addition to new flavors inspired by New Orleans including specialty burgers Jambalaya, and Po’ Boys. For dinner, enjoy new entrees like prime rib, pork rack, roasted sustainable fish, fried chicken and BBQ ribs with your choice of sides—including Mache Choux, collard greens, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, mac and cheese, macaroni salad and red beans and rice. New breakfast items have also been added to the menu, and include Crispy-Fried Chicken on a Biscuit with maple-bacon jam, Molasses-Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll, Jumbo Sweet Potato Belgian Waffle topped with toasted pecans, whipped cream and apple-cranberry compote, Cajun Grit Bowl, a Breakfast Po’ Boy and more! Signature made-to-order beignets are now available with new dipping sauces, including raspberry, caramel and chicory-coffee ganache!

New! Pizza Kiosks Now at All Star Resorts: Guests at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort and Disney’s AllStar Movies Resort will be able to pick up fresh pizzas from new kiosks nightly from 7-10 p.m. Conveniently located in the bus load zone areas, Intermission Express and World Premiere Express will have limited menu items available, including cheese and pepperoni pizzas.

Walt Disney World Resort – General

New! Starbright Holidays Now Officially Open at Disney Springs: “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” officially began on November 20. You can see the nightly performances at Disney Springs at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. from Nov. 20 – Jan 8.

This Magic Shot is available when you visit a PhotoPass photographer at any of the following locations:

Disney Springs: On the Village Causeway, the bridge that connects the area near The LEGO Store across the water to Rainforest Cafe

Disney’s Animal Kingdom: At the entrance by the Christmas tree and any photographer location on the bridge between Oasis and Discovery Island

Disney’s Hollywood Studios: On Sunset Boulevard near Reel Vogue

Epcot: Under the monorail beam between the Fountain of Nations and Showcase Plaza

Magic Kingdom Park: In front of Cinderella Castle

For animated shots, Sven jingles all the way into your photo when you visit the PhotoPass photographer stationed at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios Christmas tree. And, over near Tailors to the Stars on Hollywood Boulevard, you can find an Animated Magic Shot starring members of the elite Prep & Landing unit ready you. The Trolls from “Frozen” are throwing a little love your way at the entrance and in front of the Christmas tree at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! Olaf is popping into an Animated Magic Shot when you visit a PhotoPass photographer at Epcot near the Fountain of Nations and Showcase Plaza topiaries. You can also retrieve a shot at Magic Kingdom Park on the Fantasyland bridge and the Liberty Square bridge. Those celebrating the season at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can also get shots that can only be received during the party!

New! MagicBand 2 Coming to Walt Disney World: A new MagicBand is coming to the Walt Disney World Resort. MagicBand 2 will feature a new design for the band itself. While the design helps make MagicBand 2 more versatile and customizable it’ll still work like the current MagicBand. You will be able to link My Disney Experience to your MagicBand 2, which can serve as a theme park ticket, access to FastPass+ selections, Disney PhotoPass card as well as a room key for Disney Resort guests. The center of the band will be able to be removed and inserted into other accessories such as a keychain or lanyard. Stay tuned for me details.

New! Atlanta Braves’ 20th Annual Spring Training Schedule at Walt Disney World Announced: For the 20th straight season, the team will hold spring training at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The Braves players begin arriving at Walt Disney World in mid-February and then open up the spring season here against the Blue Jays on Feb. 25. Tickets go on sale on Dec. 12 at braves.com/springtraining, as well as through Ticketmaster outlets (800-745-3000) and at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Box Office. Closures and Refurbishments Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort

Closures and Refurbishments

Click hereto view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.

Other snacks are available for purchase including Peppermint and Holiday Wish cupcakes, Pumpkin Spice Waffle with ice cream, Very Merry Strawberry Lemonade Slush, a holiday-inspired red and green slushy complete with Mickey straw and Holiday Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place select dates in November and December at Magic Kingdom Park, and requires separate admission ticket. Complimentary offerings and locations are subject to change.

Epcot

New!Narrators Announced for Candlelight Processional: Two new narrators join the lineup this year for one of the most beloved and heart-warming holiday traditions at Walt Disney World Resort. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., and long-time member of the Disney family Ming-Na Wen (voice of Mulan, currently starring in ABC-TV’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”) take to the stage for Candlelight Processional. The annual event is a part of Epcot’s Holidays Around the World celebration, which features a celebrity narrator sharing the story of Christmas, joined by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir.

Here’s the line-up of performers for 2016:

Steven Curtis Chapman 11/25-27

Neil Patrick Harris 11/28-12/1

Whoopi Goldberg 12/2 -12/3

Edward James Olmos 12/4-12/6*

TBD 12/7-12/9

Robby Benson 12/10 -12/12

Meredith Vieira 12/13-12/15

Jim Caviezel 12/16-12/18

Joe Morton 12/19-12/21

Ming-Na Wen 12/22-12/24 New!

Jodi Benson 12/25-12/27

Cal Ripken jr.. 12/28-12/30 New!

The story, the music, the twinkling trees and decor fills you with the spirit of this wonderful season. And you can catch the performances at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. at the American Gardens Theatre.

New! Seasonal Tastes Expand for Epcot Holidays Around the World: Holidays Around the World is adding more food and drink for the winter celebration November 25-December 30. Visit Prost! in Germany for an artisan cheese plate or sauerbraten with red cabbage and spätzle and a variety of hot ciders (including alcoholic ones). The American Pavilion is serving slow-roasted turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce and a seared pork tenderloin dish along with a variety of drinks. The Alpine House will have duck confit, cheese fondue, a chocolate cake and alcoholic (and non) spiced hot chocolate along with wines. Seasonal Southern Delights include hoppin’ john (black-eyed peas, ham hocks and kale with rice and cornbread crumbles); blackened catfish and more. Feast of the Three Kings Feast near World Showcase Plaza pays homage to Three Kings Day, widely celebrated in Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean. Look for a shredded beef tamale with avocado crema; roasted pork with mashed yucca and pickled green bananas, and Three Kings Bread. These are just a small sample of the many items available during this festive holiday celebration!

Reminder! Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Wraps Up: The 21st Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival has been a huge success! Epcot has been your global tasting table – with the longest festival yet with 62 days to taste, sip and shop culinary creations from around the world. The last day of the Festival is Nov 14th!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New! Minnie’s Holiday Dine Now at Hollywood & Vine: Minnie Mouse is inviting all of her friends to join her for a holiday celebration at Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine. This character dining experience features Minnie Mouse and her friends dressed in their holiday best as they host a dazzling party to celebrate the season. Reservations are now open, and can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dine or by calling 407- WDW-DINE.

New! Meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time: This year, you can meet Santa at the Once Upon a Time shop along Sunset Boulevard and share your wish list with him starting November 14.

New! Holiday Cupcake Now Available: A new chocolate cupcake with peppermint bark is now available for a limited time at ABC Commissary.

New! PizzeRizzo Opens Nov 18: PizzeRizzo – the classic family pizzeria owned by Rizzo – will open in Muppets Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 18. While enjoying personal-sized pies, guests will find décor inspired by Rizzo, as well as his extended family and friends who have visited PizzeRizzo over the years throughout the two-story eatery. Be sure to head upstairs to Rizzo’s Deluxe Supreme Banquet Hall, where there’s a wedding reception already in progress; join the party and showoff your best moves under the disco ball to the world’s greatest party playlist!

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

New! Characters are Now in Holiday Costumes: Guests can meet some of the characters dressed in their seasonal best! Characters in special holiday attire include Donald Duck, Pluto and Goofy in DinoLand U.S.A, Baloo and King Louie in Asia, Mickey and Minnie Mouse on Discovery Island, and Chip and Dale at Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

New! Private Water Taxi Service at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: Walt Disney World Resort will pilot a private water taxi service between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and any destination around Seven Seas Lagoon. This service may accommodate up to 10 passengers on each boat and costs $20 each way. The private experience is available throughout the day, based on availability. Reservations can be made by calling the Recreation team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa between 8:00am and 6:00pm at 321-318-8212.

New! Reservations at Oasis Pool at Disney’s Polynesian Resort: Guests staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort can now reserve the Oasis Pool patio shade structures for a half or full day beginning Nov. 13. Currently, they will be able to be reserved for $25 for a half day and $40 for a full day. The rental simply includes a place for Guests to reserve next to the pool. No additional amenities are included.

Walt Disney World Resort – General

New! Holiday Offerings at Disney Springs: The “Holidays at Disney Springs,” seasonal celebration starts November 11 and runs through January 8, 2017. Here are some of the holiday festivities:

Disney Springs’ Christmas Tree Trail – Fifteen distinctly decorated trees, each themed to a beloved Disney character or story are on Display in the Marketplace.

Nightly Tree Lighting Ceremony – Every evening at 6 p.m., experience a festive tree lighting ceremony where a family of the day will be chosen to illuminate the Marketplace signature tree. Nearby, look for life- sized toys, toy soldier stilt walkers, and Christmas-inspired treats.

Santa’s Chalet – Share your wish list with Santa and be sure to pose for a photo or two as Disney PhotoPass photographers will be on hand to capture the moment. Like last year, you can pick up a pager upon arrival, allowing you to shop, dine or play while you wait for your turn in the queue line.

MAC Cosmetics’ Nutcracker Sweet Collection – To celebrate the launch of the new MAC Cosmetics holiday boxed sets, an eccentric ballet starring a handsome prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, rosy-cheeked soldiers and other whimsical surprises will take place with multiple performances daily from November 16 through November 19, 2016.

Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt – Starting the day after Thanksgiving, a fun-for-the-whole-family scavenger hunt-style activity will send you through all four neighborhoods of Disney Springs. Once complete, visit participating locations for a limited-edition completer button. Many festive favorites will return to Disney Springs this year including themed holiday décor for each neighborhood, toy solider and snowflake stilt walkers, holiday carolers, unique entertainment celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, and more.

New! Reserve Your Seat at AMC Disney Springs: Moviegoers now have the opportunity to pick their seat when buying tickets for any film playing at AMC Disney Springs 24. Similar to Dine-in theaters, Guests can reserve their seat in advance online, via the mobile app, at an automated box office machine, or at the theatre box office. Seat numbers will be clearly marked on tickets and in the theater to assist Guests with finding their seat.

Merchandise Events

November 17-21 – Artist Greg McCullough returns to The Art of Disney in August. He will be meeting with guests and signing artwork from 1:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. each day.

November 18 – Once Upon a Toy will host “Game Night” with Disney Design Group artist Quynh Kimball. He will be meeting with guests from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Quynh helped design several board games for Disney Parks including Disney Theme Park Edition III Monopoly and Pirates of the Caribbean Battleship.

November 18-19 – An Artist Showcase featuring David Buckley, Will Gay, Joe Kaminski, and Darren Wilson will be held at The Art of Disney. Guests can meet the artists from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. each day.

Closures and Refurbishments

Click here to view the latest renovations and closures at Walt Disney World Resort.